Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness

Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department of Natural Sciences

Plantago patagonica Jacquin
(Wooly Plantain)


Family: Plantaginaceae

Status: Native

Synonyms:
Plantago purshii Roemer & Schultes
Plantago purshii Roemer & Schultes var. picta (Morris) Pilger
Plantago oblonga Morris
Plantago picta Morris
Plantago spinulosa Decaisne

Plantago patagonica is the only member of this family which is found away from disturbed areas and in the wilderness. It is villous and gray in appearance, as opposed to the bright green appearance of Plantago major and Plantago lanceolata, both of which require considerably more water to survive. Plantago patagonica can achieve the same size as the other two species, but more commonly it is quite a bit smaller.
Please click on an image for a larger file.



Plantago patagonica, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., Knight Mtn., May 9, 2007



Plantago patagonica, detail of inflorescence, photo Russ Kleinman & Richard Felger, Burro Mtns., Engineer Canyon, Apr. 20, 2008



Plantago patagonica, growth habit, photo Russ Kleinman, Burro Mtns., WD Ranch Road, Apr. 20, 2009



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